Position of the Russian Forest Association on the climate agenda and carbon regulation

On July 14, 2021, the European Commission published the "Fit for 55" plan, which involves a set of measures, including in the field of EU climate policy. The goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 from 1990 levels.

According to this plan, suppliers of iron, steel, aluminum and fertilizers from Russia, which, according to the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation, will have to pay about € 1.1 billion a year when the tax starts to be levied at 100%.

Previously, the size of these tax payments was estimated by experts from € 2 to € 5.62 billion per year, so while everything does not look so pessimistic.

At the same time, our country is preparing to create a national carbon regulation system. On July 2, 2021, the President of the Russian Federation signed Federal Law No. 296-FZ "On limiting greenhouse gas emissions" (comes into force on December 30, 2021). In turn, the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation prepares the relevant regulations, which, among other things, will establish the criteria for classifying projects as climatic and the procedure for their verification. Climate project - a project aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions or increasing their absorption. Implementation of such projects results in carbon credits - a new category of property rights.

The role of forestry projects and timber industry, in particular, in this case is difficult to overestimate. It is also important to note that not only large companies receive the right to implement climate projects. Both small and medium-sized businesses can be involved in such projects.

According to KPMG calculations, the potential of forestry projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Russia reaches 360-420 million tons of CO2 per year, provided the cost of a carbon unit (1 ton of CO2) ranges from € 4 to € 40 (with the prospect of growth to € 90) this market on average, it can range from € 1.56 to € 15.6 billion (with the prospect of growth to € 35.1 billion). Therefore, here it is necessary to look at it from the point of view of possibilities, and they certainly exist.

If we talk about international requirements, it is already clear today that the main principle of forest climate projects is the principle of complementarity (what effect the proposed methodology will give in relation to the absorption of greenhouse gases in comparison with the baseline scenario). For example, the usual planting of forest cultures on the lands of the forest fund without subsequent intensive care will not give a significant complementarity effect.

According to the National Research University Higher School of Economics, three types of forest-climatic projects can be implemented in Russia:

1. As part of the voluntary conservation of forests by tenants.

These projects are aimed at preserving high conservation value forests (HCVF) on lease, within the framework of voluntary FSC certification. That is, if the tenant voluntarily retains the HCVF, effectively implements measures to prevent and extinguish fires - this is the principle of complementarity.

2. Within the framework of sustainable forest management, contributing to increased absorption of greenhouse gases.

These are projects of intensive use and reproduction of forests, which are implemented by a number of large forest tenants. In this case, the addition will be an increase in wood growth as a result of active forest management and selective felling, due to this, the volume of absorbed greenhouse gases will increase.

3. Within the framework of protective afforestation programs.

Projects can be implemented on treeless lands of the forest fund, as well as on agricultural lands. Here it will be necessary to form forests resistant to climate change, restore the original forest ecosystems.

At the same time, an important area is interaction with universities and the scientific community. Currently, the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation is implementing in seven pilot regions a project to create polygons for the development and testing of technologies for monitoring carbon balance - the Chechen Republic, Krasnodar Territory, Kaliningrad, Novosibirsk, Sakhalin, Sverdlovsk, Tyumen regions (order of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation of February 5, 2021 No. No. 74 "On landfills for the development and testing of technologies for monitoring carbon balance").

The experience of colleagues will make it possible to further investigate and identify both sources and sinks of greenhouse gases in detail and with maximum efficiency. Therefore, the leading role in this task is determined by our science, on the experience of which everyone who wants to implement such climate projects will rely.